Pro Bono Innovation Fund Request for Letters of Intent To Apply for 2020 Grant Funding, 67477-67480 [2019-26499]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices States International Trade Commission (‘‘Commission’’) determines, pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930 (‘‘the Act’’), that an industry in the United States is materially injured by reason of imports of carbon and alloy steel threaded rod (‘‘threaded rod’’) from Thailand, provided for in subheadings 7318.15.50, 7318.15.20, and 7318.19.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, that have been found by the U.S. Department of Commerce (‘‘Commerce’’) to be sold in the United States at less than fair value (‘‘LTFV’’).2 3 Background The Commission, pursuant to section 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)), instituted this investigation effective February 21, 2019, following receipt of a petition filed with the Commission and Commerce by Vulcan Threaded Products Inc. (‘‘Vulcan’’), Pelham, Alabama. The Commission scheduled the final phase of the investigation following notification of a preliminary determination by Commerce that imports of threaded rod from Thailand 4 were being sold at LTFV within the meaning of section 733(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673b(b)). Notice of the scheduling of the final phase of the Commission’s investigation and of a public hearing to be held in connection therewith was given by posting copies of the notice in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, and by publishing the notice in the Federal Register of August 27, 2019 (84 FR 44916). The hearing was held in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2019, and all persons who requested the opportunity were permitted to appear in person or by counsel. The Commission made this determination pursuant to section 735(b) of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673d(b)). It completed and filed its determination in this investigation on December 5, 2019. The views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4998 (December 2019), entitled Carbon and Alloy Steel Threaded Rod from Thailand: Investigation No. 731–TA– 1444 (Final). jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES By order of the Commission. 2 84 FR 56162 (October 21, 2019) (final determination). 3 The Commission also finds that imports subject to Commerce’s affirmative critical circumstances determination are not likely to undermine seriously the remedial effect of the antidumping duty order on Thailand. 4 84 FR 38597 (August 7, 2019) (preliminary determination). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 Issued: December 5, 2019. Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission. 67477 LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION [FR Doc. 2019–26581 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] Pro Bono Innovation Fund Request for Letters of Intent To Apply for 2020 Grant Funding BILLING CODE 7020–02–P Legal Services Corporation Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of Lodging Proposed Consent Decree In accordance with Departmental Policy, 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that a proposed Consent Decree in United States v. Nelson Farms, Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 2:16–cv–00319, was lodged with the United States District Court for the District of Vermont on December 4, 2019. This proposed Consent Decree concerns a complaint filed by the United States against Nelson Farms, Inc. and Douglas Nelson, Sr., pursuant to Sections 301, 309, and 404 of the Clean Water Act (‘‘CWA’’), 33 U.S.C. 1311, 1319, and 1344, to obtain injunctive relief from and impose civil penalties against the Defendants for violating the Clean Water Act by discharging pollutants without a permit into waters of the United States. The proposed Consent Decree resolves these allegations by requiring the Defendants to restore the impacted areas and/or perform mitigation and to pay a civil penalty. The Department of Justice will accept written comments relating to this proposed Consent Decree for thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this Notice. Please address comments to Perry Rosen, Senior Attorney, United States Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Defense Section, Post Office Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044–7611, and refer to United States v. Nelson Farms, Inc., et al., DJ # 90–5–1–1–19989. The proposed Consent Decree may be examined at the Clerk’s Office, United States District Court for the District of Vermont, 11 Elmwood Avenue, Room 240, Burlington, VT 05041. In addition, the proposed Consent Decree may be examined electronically at https:// www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. Cherie Rogers, Assistant Section Chief, Environmental Defense Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division. [FR Doc. 2019–26490 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–15–P PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice describing the conditions for submitting Letters of Intent to Apply for 2020 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants. DATES: Letters of Intent must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, February 10, 2020. ADDRESSES: Letters of Intent must be submitted electronically at https:// lscgrants.lsc.gov. SUMMARY: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mytrang Nguyen, Program Counsel, Office of Program Performance, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; (202) 295–1564 or nguyenm@lsc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information Since 2014, Congress has provided an annual appropriation to LSC ‘‘for a Pro Bono Innovation Fund.’’ See, e.g., Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115–31, 131 Stat. 135 (2017). LSC requested these funds for grants to ‘‘develop, test, and replicate innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to expand clients’ access to high quality legal assistance.’’ LSC Budget Request, Fiscal Year 2014 at 26 (2013). The grants must involve innovations that are either ‘‘new ideas’’ or ‘‘new applications of existing best practices.’’ Id. Each grant would ‘‘either serve as a model for other legal services providers to follow or effectively replicate a prior innovation. Id. The Senate Appropriations Committee explained that these funds ‘‘will support innovative projects that promote and enhance pro bono initiatives throughout the Nation,’’ and the House Appropriations Committee directed LSC ‘‘to increase the involvement of private attorneys in the delivery of legal services to [LSC-eligible] clients.’’ Senate Report 114–239 at 123 (2016), House Report 113–448 at 85 (2014). Since its inception, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has advanced LSC’s goal of increasing the quantity and quality of legal services by funding projects that more efficiently and effectively involve pro bono volunteers in serving the critical unmet legal needs of LSC-eligible clients. In 2017, LSC built on these successes by creating three funding categories to better focus E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 67478 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices on innovations serving unmet and welldefined client needs (Project Grants), on building comprehensive and effective pro bono programs through new applications of existing best practices (Transformation Grants), and on providing continued development support for the most promising innovations (Sustainability Grants). II. Funding Opportunities Information A. Eligible Applicants To be eligible for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund’s Project, Sustainability, and Transformation grants, Applicants must be current grantees of LSC Basic Field-General, Basic Field-Migrant, or Basic FieldNative American grants. In addition, Sustainability Grant Applicants must also be a current Pro Bono Innovation Fund grantee with a 2018 grant award. B. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Purpose and Key Goals Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants develop, test, and replicate innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to use pro bono volunteers to serve larger numbers of low-income clients and improve the quality and effectiveness of the services provided. The key goals of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund are to: 1. Address gaps in the delivery of legal services to low-income people; 2. Engage more lawyers and other volunteers in pro bono service; 3. Develop, test, and replicate innovative pro bono efforts. C. Funding Opportunities 1. Project Grants jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Project Grants is to leverage volunteers to meet a critical, unmet and welldefined client need. Consistent with the key goals of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund, applicants are encouraged to focus on engaging volunteers to increase free civil legal aid for low-income Americans by proposing new, replicable ideas. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research prior Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects to replicate and improve upon them. LSC is particularly interested in applications that propose to replicate projects LSC has previously funded with Sustainability Grants. Our Sustainability Grants have included: • Community-based partnerships, like the Medical-Legal Partnership of Community Legal Aid, Inc. (MA) or the school-based clinic of Legal Aid of West Virginia, Inc., that work with law firms to provide legal services where clients are located; • Court-based partnerships, like those at Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., and Legal Services Law Line of Vermont, Inc., that use pro bono volunteers to provide same-day, in-court representation and legal assistance; • An ‘‘emeritus’’ project at The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland that provides transitioning and retired attorneys with varied and substantive opportunities to support the LASC’s advocates and clients; • A neighborhood-based project at Legal Aid of Western Missouri that engages transactional attorneys to assist clients in distressed and underserved communities. Project Grants can be either 18 or 24 months. 2. Transformation Grants The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Transformation Grants is to support LSC grantees in comprehensive assessment and restructuring of pro bono programs through new applications of existing best practices in pro bono delivery. Each Transformation Grant will support a rigorous assessment of an LSC grantee’s pro bono program and the identification of best practices in pro bono delivery that are best suited to that grantee’s needs and circumstances. Transformation Grants are targeted towards LSC grantees whose leadership is committed to restructuring an entire pro bono program and incorporating pro bono best practices into core, high-priority client services with an urgency to create a high-impact pro bono program. This funding opportunity is open to all LSC grantees but is primarily intended for LSC grantees who have been unsuccessful applying for Project Grants or who have never applied for a Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant in the past. New in 2020: Transformation Grants can be either 24 or 36 months. Project Grants .............................................................................................................................. Transformation Grants ................................................................................................................. Sustainability Grants .................................................................................................................... Applicants for Project Grants can apply for either an 18- or a 24-month VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 grant. Applicants for Transformation Grants can apply for either a 24- or a 36- PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 3. Sustainability Grants Pro Bono Innovation Fund Sustainability Grants are available to current Pro Bono Innovation Fund grantees who received 2018 grants. The goal of Sustainability Grants is to support further development of the most promising and replicable Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects with an additional 24 months of funding so grantees can leverage new sources of revenue for the project and collect meaningful data to demonstrate the project’s results and outcomes for clients and volunteers. Applicants for Sustainability Grants will be asked to propose an ambitious strategy that reduces the Pro Bono Innovation Fund contribution to the project over the Sustainability Grant term. D. Available Funds for 2020 Grants The availability of funds for Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants for FY 2020 depends on LSC’s appropriation. LSC is currently operating under a Continuing Resolution for FY 2019 which funds the federal government through December 20, 2019. The Continuing Resolution maintains funding at $415 million. Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant decisions for FY 2020 will be made in the summer of 2020. LSC anticipates knowing the total amount available for Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants before August. In FY 2019, Congress appropriated to LSC $4.5 million for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund. LSC awarded $4.3 million in direct grants to support fifteen Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects with a median award of $289,812. LSC will not designate fixed or estimated amounts for the three different funding categories and will make grant awards for the three categories within the total amount of funding available. There is no maximum amount for Pro Bono Innovation Fund requests that are within the total funding available. E. Project and Grant Term Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant awards can have grant terms of 18, 24, or 36 months, depending on the type of grant. 18 Months 24 Months 36 Months √ X X √ √ √ X √ X month grant. Applicants for Sustainability Grants can apply for a 24- E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices month grant only. Applications must cover the full proposed grant term. The grant term is expected to commence on October 1, 2020. III. Grant Application Process and Letter of Intent To Apply Instructions A. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grant Application Process LSC is committed to reviewing all Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant applications in a timely and thorough manner. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply for Funding to LSC by February 10, 2020 to be considered for a grant. After review by LSC Staff, LSC’s President makes the final decision on which applicants will be asked to submit a detailed, full application due to LSC in April. Applicants will be notified of invitations to submit a full application by March 2020. Once LSC has received a full application from a selected applicant, the application will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff and external subject matter experts. LSC’s President makes the final decision on funding for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund. B. Late or Incomplete Applications LSC may consider an LOI after the deadline, but only if the Applicant has submitted an email to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov explaining the circumstances that caused the delay prior to the applicable deadline. Communication with LSC staff, including assigned Program Liaisons, is not a substitute for sending an explanatory email to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov. At its discretion, LSC may consider incomplete applications. LSC will determine the admissibility of late or incomplete applications on a case-bycase basis. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES C. Letters of Intent To Apply for Funding Requirements and Format The LOI should succinctly summarize the information requested for the category of funding the applicant seeks. A complete LOI consists of: 1. A narrative that responds to the questions for the funding category. The narrative should be submitted as a PDF entitled ‘‘Organization Name_2019 LOI’’. 2. A completed LOI Budget Template. The LOI Budget should be submitted as an Excel document entitled ‘‘Organization Name_2019 LOI Budget’’. Applicants must submit the LOI via email to probonoinnovation@lsc.gov. The email should include the narrative and budget form as two separate VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 67479 attachments following the naming conventions described above. The LOI narrative should be a PDF document. The narrative must not exceed 5 double-spaced pages or approximately 1,300 words in Times New Roman, 12-point font. The LOI narrative must be paginated. The budget form should be a completed LOI Budget Template, no changes or additions should be made to the template form. Applicants who do not follow the above formatting requirements for the Narrative submission may be subject to scoring penalties. Applicants may submit multiple LOIs under the same or different funding category. If applying for multiple grants, applicants should submit a separate LOI in a separate email for each funding request. support the project. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project expenses, contracts or sub-grants, etc., and how each expense supports the project design. • For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the proposed grant. • A list of any anticipated contributions, both in-kind and monetary, from all partners involved in the project. • A list of key partners who will receive Pro Bono Innovation Fund funding, including their roles and the estimated dollar amount or percent of budget assigned to each partner. 1. Project Grants The LOI Narrative for Project Grants should respond to the following questions. a. Project Description. Please provide a brief description of the proposed project that includes: • The specific client need and challenge or opportunity in the pro bono delivery system that the project will address. • The goals and objectives of the project, the activities that make up the project, and how those activities will link to and achieve the stated goals and objectives. • Strong indication of volunteer interest in and support for the project. • The expected impact of the project. This should include a brief explanation of the changes and outcomes that will be created as a result of the project. • The proposed strategies that are innovative or the best practices being replicated, including a brief discussion of how these strategies or best practices were identified. b. Project Staff, Organizational Capacity, and Project Partners. Please briefly identify and describe the project team and project partners including: • The qualifications and relevant experience of the proposed project team, any proposed partner organizations, and your organization. • The role of your organization’s executive management in the design and implementation of the project. c. Budget and Timeline. Please state whether you are proposing an 18- or 24month project and provide the following information about the estimated project costs: • Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or cash contributions to The LOI Narrative for Transformation Grants should respond to the following questions. a. Transformation Strategy. Please explain why you are seeking a Transformation Grant for your organization. In your response, please include: • An honest assessment of the challenges with your organization’s current pro bono efforts that inhibit your ability to innovate or replicate modern pro bono best practices. • A brief description of your plans for a comprehensive and strategic assessment of your pro bono program. • At least three specific and important improvements to your organization’s pro bono program that you would like to achieve in the first year of a 24- or 36-month Transformation Grant. b. Guiding Coalition. Please describe the core team who would be responsible for the pro bono transformation effort in your organization. In your response, please state: • The qualifications and relevant experience of each proposed team member. • Whether a majority of your executive and senior managers agree that your organization’s pro bono program needs significant improvements. • The role your organization’s executive director and/or senior managers would play in a pro bono transformation effort. c. Budget. Please state whether you are seeking a 24- or 36-month term and describe what you would like the Transformation Grant to fund over the proposed grant period. In your response, please include the following information about the anticipated costs PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2. Transformation Grants E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 67480 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES associated with a transformation effort for your pro bono program: • The estimated total cost and a clear description of what the grant will fund. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the major expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project expenses, contracts or subgrants, etc., and how each expense supports the transformation effort to improve your pro bono program. • For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the proposed grant. • For contracts, please describe whether you intend to use consultants, implement new technology systems, conduct business process analysis, etc. and how this supports improvements to you pro bono program. 3. Sustainability Grants The LOI Narrative for Sustainability Grants should respond to the following questions. a. Justification for Sustaining the Pro Bono Innovation Project. Please describe why you are seeking a Sustainability Grant. In your response, please discuss the following: • The impact of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund project to date, supported by data and analysis as to whether the goals of the project were achieved. • Evidence of ongoing client need and how you intend to make the project part of your core legal services. • The level of engagement of pro bono volunteers/private bar and the best practices in pro bono delivery that can be replicated by others. • How ongoing program evaluation and data collection will be incorporated into the project. b. Project Staff and Management Support. Please briefly identify and describe the project team and project partners. In your response, please include the following: • The project staff that will be responsible for the sustainability phase of the project. Please include any additional staff, descriptions of new responsibilities for existing project staff and/or organizational changes that will be made. • The role of your organization’s executive management in the decision to seek this Sustainability Grant and recent examples of your organization’s track record turning ‘‘new’’ or special projects into core legal services. c. Budget and Strategy to Reduce PBIF Funding. Please describe what you would like the Sustainability Grant to fund. In your response, please be sure to provide the following information: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 • Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or cash contributions to support the project. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project expenses, etc., and how each expense supports the project design. • A narrative proposing how you plan to reduce the Pro Bono Innovation Fund contribution to the project for the grant term. LSC is not setting a specific percentage of required match for Sustainability Grant applicants, but will assess the two-year budget from the applicant’s previously funded project with the grant amount proposed in the Sustainability LOI. LSC’s expectation is that applicants will propose a meaningful shift from Pro Bono Innovation Fund support to other sources of support during the grant term. • A narrative discussing the potential sources of funding that have been or will be cultivated. If the project has already received new financial support, please provide the source and amount committed and further describe the plans for ensuring continued financial support. Dated: December 4, 2019. Stefanie Davis, Senior Assistant General Counsel. National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; Telephone: 703–292–4910. Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice and recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on issues within the field of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the agencies. Agenda: To hear presentations of current programming by representatives from NSF, NASA, DOE and other agencies relevant to astronomy and astrophysics; to discuss current and potential areas of cooperation between the agencies; to formulate recommendations for continued and new areas of cooperation and mechanisms for achieving them. Discuss the Committee’s draft annual report due 15 March 2020. Dated: December 5, 2019. Crystal Robinson, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2019–26585 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 040–08903; NRC–2019–0186] [FR Doc. 2019–26499 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7050–01–P Homestake Mining Company of California; Grants Reclamation Project Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. AGENCY: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended), the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces the following meeting: Name and Committee Code: Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (#13883). Date and Time: January 23, 2020; 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. January 24, 2020; 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Place: National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, Room E2020. Type of Meeting: Open. Attendance information for the meeting will be forthcoming on the website: https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/ aaac.jsp. Contact Person: Dr. Christopher Davis, Program Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences, Suite W 9136, PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding a request from Homestake Mining Company (HMC) of California for approval of an amendment to HMC Radioactive Materials License SUA– 1471 to add zeolite water treatment systems. HMC is authorized to manage a groundwater restoration program to restore the concentrations of the constituents of concern to the acceptable groundwater standards at its Grants Reclamation Project site in Milan, New Mexico, under NRC License SUA–1471, issued originally in 1988. DATES: The EA referenced in this document is available on December 10, 2019. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2019–0186 when contacting the NRC about the availability of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67477-67480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26499]


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LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION


Pro Bono Innovation Fund Request for Letters of Intent To Apply 
for 2020 Grant Funding

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) issues this Notice 
describing the conditions for submitting Letters of Intent to Apply for 
2020 Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants.

DATES: Letters of Intent must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, 
February 10, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Letters of Intent must be submitted electronically at https://lscgrants.lsc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mytrang Nguyen, Program Counsel, 
Office of Program Performance, Legal Services Corporation, 3333 K 
Street NW, Washington, DC 20007; (202) 295-1564 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

    Since 2014, Congress has provided an annual appropriation to LSC 
``for a Pro Bono Innovation Fund.'' See, e.g., Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law 115-31, 131 Stat. 135 (2017). LSC 
requested these funds for grants to ``develop, test, and replicate 
innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to expand 
clients' access to high quality legal assistance.'' LSC Budget Request, 
Fiscal Year 2014 at 26 (2013). The grants must involve innovations that 
are either ``new ideas'' or ``new applications of existing best 
practices.'' Id. Each grant would ``either serve as a model for other 
legal services providers to follow or effectively replicate a prior 
innovation. Id. The Senate Appropriations Committee explained that 
these funds ``will support innovative projects that promote and enhance 
pro bono initiatives throughout the Nation,'' and the House 
Appropriations Committee directed LSC ``to increase the involvement of 
private attorneys in the delivery of legal services to [LSC-eligible] 
clients.'' Senate Report 114-239 at 123 (2016), House Report 113-448 at 
85 (2014).
    Since its inception, the Pro Bono Innovation Fund has advanced 
LSC's goal of increasing the quantity and quality of legal services by 
funding projects that more efficiently and effectively involve pro bono 
volunteers in serving the critical unmet legal needs of LSC-eligible 
clients. In 2017, LSC built on these successes by creating three 
funding categories to better focus

[[Page 67478]]

on innovations serving unmet and well-defined client needs (Project 
Grants), on building comprehensive and effective pro bono programs 
through new applications of existing best practices (Transformation 
Grants), and on providing continued development support for the most 
promising innovations (Sustainability Grants).

II. Funding Opportunities Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    To be eligible for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund's Project, 
Sustainability, and Transformation grants, Applicants must be current 
grantees of LSC Basic Field-General, Basic Field-Migrant, or Basic 
Field-Native American grants. In addition, Sustainability Grant 
Applicants must also be a current Pro Bono Innovation Fund grantee with 
a 2018 grant award.

B. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Purpose and Key Goals

    Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants develop, test, and replicate 
innovative pro bono efforts that can enable LSC grantees to use pro 
bono volunteers to serve larger numbers of low-income clients and 
improve the quality and effectiveness of the services provided. The key 
goals of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund are to:
    1. Address gaps in the delivery of legal services to low-income 
people;
    2. Engage more lawyers and other volunteers in pro bono service;
    3. Develop, test, and replicate innovative pro bono efforts.

C. Funding Opportunities

1. Project Grants
    The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Project Grants is to leverage 
volunteers to meet a critical, unmet and well-defined client need. 
Consistent with the key goals of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund, 
applicants are encouraged to focus on engaging volunteers to increase 
free civil legal aid for low-income Americans by proposing new, 
replicable ideas. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research prior 
Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects to replicate and improve upon them. 
LSC is particularly interested in applications that propose to 
replicate projects LSC has previously funded with Sustainability 
Grants. Our Sustainability Grants have included:
     Community-based partnerships, like the Medical-Legal 
Partnership of Community Legal Aid, Inc. (MA) or the school-based 
clinic of Legal Aid of West Virginia, Inc., that work with law firms to 
provide legal services where clients are located;
     Court-based partnerships, like those at Legal Action of 
Wisconsin, Inc., and Legal Services Law Line of Vermont, Inc., that use 
pro bono volunteers to provide same-day, in-court representation and 
legal assistance;
     An ``emeritus'' project at The Legal Aid Society of 
Cleveland that provides transitioning and retired attorneys with varied 
and substantive opportunities to support the LASC's advocates and 
clients;
     A neighborhood-based project at Legal Aid of Western 
Missouri that engages transactional attorneys to assist clients in 
distressed and underserved communities.
    Project Grants can be either 18 or 24 months.
2. Transformation Grants
    The goal of Pro Bono Innovation Fund Transformation Grants is to 
support LSC grantees in comprehensive assessment and restructuring of 
pro bono programs through new applications of existing best practices 
in pro bono delivery. Each Transformation Grant will support a rigorous 
assessment of an LSC grantee's pro bono program and the identification 
of best practices in pro bono delivery that are best suited to that 
grantee's needs and circumstances. Transformation Grants are targeted 
towards LSC grantees whose leadership is committed to restructuring an 
entire pro bono program and incorporating pro bono best practices into 
core, high-priority client services with an urgency to create a high-
impact pro bono program. This funding opportunity is open to all LSC 
grantees but is primarily intended for LSC grantees who have been 
unsuccessful applying for Project Grants or who have never applied for 
a Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant in the past.
    New in 2020: Transformation Grants can be either 24 or 36 months.
3. Sustainability Grants
    Pro Bono Innovation Fund Sustainability Grants are available to 
current Pro Bono Innovation Fund grantees who received 2018 grants. The 
goal of Sustainability Grants is to support further development of the 
most promising and replicable Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects with an 
additional 24 months of funding so grantees can leverage new sources of 
revenue for the project and collect meaningful data to demonstrate the 
project's results and outcomes for clients and volunteers. Applicants 
for Sustainability Grants will be asked to propose an ambitious 
strategy that reduces the Pro Bono Innovation Fund contribution to the 
project over the Sustainability Grant term.

D. Available Funds for 2020 Grants

    The availability of funds for Pro Bono Innovation Fund grants for 
FY 2020 depends on LSC's appropriation. LSC is currently operating 
under a Continuing Resolution for FY 2019 which funds the federal 
government through December 20, 2019. The Continuing Resolution 
maintains funding at $415 million. Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant 
decisions for FY 2020 will be made in the summer of 2020. LSC 
anticipates knowing the total amount available for Pro Bono Innovation 
Fund grants before August.
    In FY 2019, Congress appropriated to LSC $4.5 million for the Pro 
Bono Innovation Fund. LSC awarded $4.3 million in direct grants to 
support fifteen Pro Bono Innovation Fund projects with a median award 
of $289,812.
    LSC will not designate fixed or estimated amounts for the three 
different funding categories and will make grant awards for the three 
categories within the total amount of funding available. There is no 
maximum amount for Pro Bono Innovation Fund requests that are within 
the total funding available.

E. Project and Grant Term

    Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant awards can have grant terms of 18, 
24, or 36 months, depending on the type of grant.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  18 Months        24 Months        36 Months
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Grants...............................................         [radic]          [radic]                X
Transformation Grants........................................               X          [radic]          [radic]
Sustainability Grants........................................               X          [radic]                X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants for Project Grants can apply for either an 18- or a 24-
month grant. Applicants for Transformation Grants can apply for either 
a 24- or a 36-month grant. Applicants for Sustainability Grants can 
apply for a 24-

[[Page 67479]]

month grant only. Applications must cover the full proposed grant term. 
The grant term is expected to commence on October 1, 2020.

III. Grant Application Process and Letter of Intent To Apply 
Instructions

A. Pro Bono Innovation Fund Grant Application Process

    LSC is committed to reviewing all Pro Bono Innovation Fund grant 
applications in a timely and thorough manner. Applicants must first 
submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Apply for Funding to LSC by February 
10, 2020 to be considered for a grant. After review by LSC Staff, LSC's 
President makes the final decision on which applicants will be asked to 
submit a detailed, full application due to LSC in April. Applicants 
will be notified of invitations to submit a full application by March 
2020. Once LSC has received a full application from a selected 
applicant, the application will undergo a rigorous review by LSC staff 
and external subject matter experts. LSC's President makes the final 
decision on funding for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund.

B. Late or Incomplete Applications

    LSC may consider an LOI after the deadline, but only if the 
Applicant has submitted an email to [email protected] 
explaining the circumstances that caused the delay prior to the 
applicable deadline. Communication with LSC staff, including assigned 
Program Liaisons, is not a substitute for sending an explanatory email 
to [email protected]. At its discretion, LSC may consider 
incomplete applications. LSC will determine the admissibility of late 
or incomplete applications on a case-by-case basis.

C. Letters of Intent To Apply for Funding Requirements and Format

    The LOI should succinctly summarize the information requested for 
the category of funding the applicant seeks. A complete LOI consists 
of:
    1. A narrative that responds to the questions for the funding 
category. The narrative should be submitted as a PDF entitled 
``Organization Name_2019 LOI''.
    2. A completed LOI Budget Template. The LOI Budget should be 
submitted as an Excel document entitled ``Organization Name_2019 LOI 
Budget''.
    Applicants must submit the LOI via email to 
[email protected]. The email should include the narrative and 
budget form as two separate attachments following the naming 
conventions described above.
    The LOI narrative should be a PDF document. The narrative must not 
exceed 5 double-spaced pages or approximately 1,300 words in Times New 
Roman, 12-point font. The LOI narrative must be paginated. The budget 
form should be a completed LOI Budget Template, no changes or additions 
should be made to the template form. Applicants who do not follow the 
above formatting requirements for the Narrative submission may be 
subject to scoring penalties.
    Applicants may submit multiple LOIs under the same or different 
funding category. If applying for multiple grants, applicants should 
submit a separate LOI in a separate email for each funding request.
1. Project Grants
    The LOI Narrative for Project Grants should respond to the 
following questions.
    a. Project Description. Please provide a brief description of the 
proposed project that includes:
     The specific client need and challenge or opportunity in 
the pro bono delivery system that the project will address.
     The goals and objectives of the project, the activities 
that make up the project, and how those activities will link to and 
achieve the stated goals and objectives.
     Strong indication of volunteer interest in and support for 
the project.
     The expected impact of the project. This should include a 
brief explanation of the changes and outcomes that will be created as a 
result of the project.
     The proposed strategies that are innovative or the best 
practices being replicated, including a brief discussion of how these 
strategies or best practices were identified.
    b. Project Staff, Organizational Capacity, and Project Partners. 
Please briefly identify and describe the project team and project 
partners including:
     The qualifications and relevant experience of the proposed 
project team, any proposed partner organizations, and your 
organization.
     The role of your organization's executive management in 
the design and implementation of the project.
    c. Budget and Timeline. Please state whether you are proposing an 
18- or 24-month project and provide the following information about the 
estimated project costs:
     Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate 
for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or 
cash contributions to support the project. Your narrative should 
provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not 
limited to, personnel, project expenses, contracts or sub-grants, etc., 
and how each expense supports the project design.
     For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how 
many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the 
proposed grant.
     A list of any anticipated contributions, both in-kind and 
monetary, from all partners involved in the project.
     A list of key partners who will receive Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund funding, including their roles and the estimated dollar 
amount or percent of budget assigned to each partner.
2. Transformation Grants
    The LOI Narrative for Transformation Grants should respond to the 
following questions.
    a. Transformation Strategy. Please explain why you are seeking a 
Transformation Grant for your organization. In your response, please 
include:
     An honest assessment of the challenges with your 
organization's current pro bono efforts that inhibit your ability to 
innovate or replicate modern pro bono best practices.
     A brief description of your plans for a comprehensive and 
strategic assessment of your pro bono program.
     At least three specific and important improvements to your 
organization's pro bono program that you would like to achieve in the 
first year of a 24- or 36-month Transformation Grant.
    b. Guiding Coalition. Please describe the core team who would be 
responsible for the pro bono transformation effort in your 
organization. In your response, please state:
     The qualifications and relevant experience of each 
proposed team member.
     Whether a majority of your executive and senior managers 
agree that your organization's pro bono program needs significant 
improvements.
     The role your organization's executive director and/or 
senior managers would play in a pro bono transformation effort.
    c. Budget. Please state whether you are seeking a 24- or 36-month 
term and describe what you would like the Transformation Grant to fund 
over the proposed grant period. In your response, please include the 
following information about the anticipated costs

[[Page 67480]]

associated with a transformation effort for your pro bono program:
     The estimated total cost and a clear description of what 
the grant will fund. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the 
major expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project 
expenses, contracts or sub-grants, etc., and how each expense supports 
the transformation effort to improve your pro bono program.
     For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how 
many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the 
proposed grant.
     For contracts, please describe whether you intend to use 
consultants, implement new technology systems, conduct business process 
analysis, etc. and how this supports improvements to you pro bono 
program.
3. Sustainability Grants
    The LOI Narrative for Sustainability Grants should respond to the 
following questions.
    a. Justification for Sustaining the Pro Bono Innovation Project. 
Please describe why you are seeking a Sustainability Grant. In your 
response, please discuss the following:
     The impact of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund project to 
date, supported by data and analysis as to whether the goals of the 
project were achieved.
     Evidence of ongoing client need and how you intend to make 
the project part of your core legal services.
     The level of engagement of pro bono volunteers/private bar 
and the best practices in pro bono delivery that can be replicated by 
others.
     How ongoing program evaluation and data collection will be 
incorporated into the project.
    b. Project Staff and Management Support. Please briefly identify 
and describe the project team and project partners. In your response, 
please include the following:
     The project staff that will be responsible for the 
sustainability phase of the project. Please include any additional 
staff, descriptions of new responsibilities for existing project staff 
and/or organizational changes that will be made.
     The role of your organization's executive management in 
the decision to seek this Sustainability Grant and recent examples of 
your organization's track record turning ``new'' or special projects 
into core legal services.
    c. Budget and Strategy to Reduce PBIF Funding. Please describe what 
you would like the Sustainability Grant to fund. In your response, 
please be sure to provide the following information:
     Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate 
for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or 
cash contributions to support the project. Your narrative should 
provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not 
limited to, personnel, project expenses, etc., and how each expense 
supports the project design.
     A narrative proposing how you plan to reduce the Pro Bono 
Innovation Fund contribution to the project for the grant term. LSC is 
not setting a specific percentage of required match for Sustainability 
Grant applicants, but will assess the two-year budget from the 
applicant's previously funded project with the grant amount proposed in 
the Sustainability LOI. LSC's expectation is that applicants will 
propose a meaningful shift from Pro Bono Innovation Fund support to 
other sources of support during the grant term.
     A narrative discussing the potential sources of funding 
that have been or will be cultivated. If the project has already 
received new financial support, please provide the source and amount 
committed and further describe the plans for ensuring continued 
financial support.

    Dated: December 4, 2019.
Stefanie Davis,
Senior Assistant General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2019-26499 Filed 12-9-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P
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